King County purchases 300,000 COVID-19 rapid home testing kits
Dec 28, 2021, 4:57 PM
City workers hand out take-home COVID-19 test kits in on Dec. 23, 2021, in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
King County will soon be getting 300,000 COVID-19 home testing kits for residents.
Dow Constantine, the county executive, announced the purchase Tuesday. The first 100,000 home testing kits are expected to arrive in the next two weeks, on the week of Jan. 10, with the remaining shipments soon after.
DOH enhances COVID contact tracing system ahead of expected at-home test influx
The county has recently seen a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases, which has increased the demand for testing. A release from Constantine’s office explains that the home tests will supplement the existing testing capacity provided by Public Health — Seattle & King County and its partners.
Find a COVID testing location in King County and additional guidance here.
King County is working to procure additional testing kits, but has only confirmed the initial 300,000.
As for the distribution of the 300,000 kits, areas of the county and communities “that are in the most need” will be prioritized. The public health department is also planning to get tests to community-based organizations, community health centers, senior centers, libraries, and other congregate locations.
“Having test results in minutes, not hours, is an important part of keeping people safe and healthy during this surge of cases. These kits will help residents make swifter and more informed decisions on how to prevent further infections, and know whether to stay home,” Constantine said in a written release. “We know the demand for tests has increased in recent weeks and supplies are constrained, and more help is on the way from the federal and state governments. But we can’t wait. These kits will help us add capacity to our existing testing network, and help communities hardest hit by the pandemic.”
State health officials hope to have more at-home COVID tests available soon
The federal government and President Joe Biden previously announced plans to increase the home testing kit supply across the United States with the purchase of 500 million test kits.
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